Polarizing Shonen Anime You Should Still Try

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As a seasoned anime enthusiast who’s spent countless hours poring over every frame of these iconic series, I can confidently say that each one of these shows has left an indelible mark on the anime landscape. From the gut-wrenching emotional depth of Elfen Lied to the mind-bending ambiguity of Neon Genesis Evangelion, these shows have a unique way of stirring up a storm of opinions among fans.

As a devoted gamer and anime enthusiast, I’ve noticed that the standard shonen anime is often lauded for its pulse-pounding action, memorable characters, and grandiose adventures. Yet, not every title under this genre garners universal acclaim. Some of these shonen anime have sparked such fierce debate among fans that they’ve become divisive, with opinions sharply divided over their unique yet debatable aspects and construction.

In this article, we delve into shonen anime that, despite having controversial or polarizing aspects, still warrant a look due to their intense convictions and unforgettable experiences they provide. Despite some criticism from fans, these shows’ divisive elements serve as evidence of their potential for redemption. Therefore, here you will find a list of the most contentious anime series within the shonen genre.

9 Boruto: Naruto Next Generations

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.6 / 5

One popular anime titled “Boruto: Naruto Next Generations” stirs strong feelings among fans due to a variety of factors. It’s criticized for failing to meet the high expectations set by its predecessor, “Naruto,” and for often deviating from its original narrative. This includes the exploration of new lore that strays from shinobi traditions as it focuses on battling threats posed by the Otutsuki alien race rather than maintaining the essence of the shinobi way.

Despite its numerous shortcomings, there exists a specific group of fans who consistently acknowledge its excellence and forward-thinking nature by appreciating its intricate storyline. Consequently, although it continues to face criticism for deviations in adaptation, the show’s impressive animation style has been effective in capturing the attention of many viewers. This anime is often perceived differently by various audiences due to diverse reasons, yet it remains a production that warrants your viewing time.

8 Re:Zero – Starting Life In Another World

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.2 / 5

One frequently debated isekai anime, Re: Zero—Starting Life in Another World, stirs conversations both for its pros and cons. The series’ standout feature, its protagonist Natsuki Subaru, often sparks a wide range of emotions among viewers due to the complexities in his character development, including his powers, actions, and their impact on the narrative plot.

For many fan groups, this series tends to fall into a unique range – from ‘disappointingly below projected standards’ to ‘exceptionally great anime’. Remarkably, it rarely lands squarely in the middle. Yet, its skillful employment of the time-loop plot device elevates it above average and offers something compelling to watch.

7 Sword Art Online

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0 / 5

The popular “Isekai” series from the 2010s, Sword Art Online, elicited a diverse range of responses. From the positive to the negative and everything in between, its reception was varied. For an isekai show of its era, it was groundbreaking due to its unique blend of fantasy elements and virtual reality within the isekai genre, offering a fresh perspective for viewers. However, certain aspects of the series didn’t sit well with specific fan groups.

Instead of portraying Kirito and Asuna’s romantic relationship as overly idealized, some discussions suggest it might have been too perfect. Furthermore, the series encountered mixed reactions because of noticeable inconsistencies in its plot development and storytelling. Nevertheless, being a celebrated isekai anime, it remains an excellent choice for first-time viewers.

6 Fairy Tail

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.1 / 5

Under the banner of the “Friendship” collection, the anime titled Fairy Tail has received a variety of reactions since its initial release year, ranging from favorable to unfavorable. Recognized for its strong power progression, structure, and central storyline, the series does face criticism due to its frequent exploration of certain themes and motifs, especially friendship, which some viewers find repetitive compared to other popular anime such as Naruto.

Furthermore, it’s clear that the show makes obvious attempts to appeal to fans, which leads to a range of opinions among viewers. Some love these fan service elements, while others find them unnecessary. However, disregarding its frequent use of overused tropes, excessive fan service, and repeated plotlines, this anime is still widely recognized as one of the top shounen series in anime.

5 The Promised Neverland

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.4 / 5

The extraordinary anime, The Promised Neverland, started with great momentum in its initial season. But unfortunately, the warm reception it received in its first season lost its luster when the story moved into its second season. Instead of continuing as the highly anticipated thriller-fantasy series that many had been eagerly waiting for, it transitioned into an action narrative centered around escape missions, which felt disconnected and unrelated to the original genre.

Unusually, this series sparks intense debate among viewers, despite consensus that its initial season was exceptionally excellent. However, opinions differ significantly on its sequel, which many find less impressive. Yet, for those who can recognize the overall quality outweighing the flaws, The Promised Neverland remains a satisfying watch or rewatch.

4 Tokyo Ghoul

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.1 / 5

One contentious work by Studio Pierrot, the Tokyo Ghoul series, has sparked intense debates among anime enthusiasts due to numerous factors, including obvious adaptation issues. However, it’s worth noting that the series also boasts some impressive moments, contributing significantly to the way dark fantasy in anime is currently perceived and represented.

Despite significant discrepancies between the manga and the anime versions of this series, public opinion on it remains divided. Yet, even with criticism over unrealized potential, the anime has become an undeniable success and a significant contributor to the resurgence of the fantasy genre after 2014.

3 Gintama

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.2 / 5

Among Studio Sunrise’s prestigious collection of anime productions, which includes “Cowboy Bebop” and “Code Geass,” “Gintama” stands out as one of the most paradoxical series. This is because the show skillfully blends various genres and tropes, rapidly transitioning from slapstick humor to self-referential jokes to intense and violent themes within the span of a single episode arc. As a result, it offers multiple perspectives for interpretation, leading to conflicting opinions regarding the series’ overall quality.

The show’s heavy use of Japanese pop culture references contributes to its polarizing responses, as it caters more to specific fan groups, leading to varying experiences among viewers. Yet, the mixed critical reactions towards the series simply underscore its undeniable appeal, at least for those watching it for the first time.

2 Elfen Lied

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0 / 5

  • Where To Watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Apple TV
  • Themes: Gore, Psychological, Seinen
  • Production Studio: Studio Arms
  • Air Duration: Jul 25, 2004 to Oct 17, 2004

In a way that appeals to diverse audiences, Elfen Lied masterfully portrays gruesome scenes within appropriate limits, yet it provokes varying reactions among its fanbase for several reasons. Primarily, the series’ unique blend of aesthetics and content stirs up contrasting opinions due to its striking art style that clashes with its graphic depictions.

The series stands out due to its graphic, violent, and blood-splattered content, contrasting with its adorably lighthearted art style. Its narrative is often praised for its deep emotional resonance by some, while others criticize it for what they perceive as shallow attempts at complex storytelling.

1 Neon Genesis Evangelion

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.0 / 5

In simple terms, the textbook definition of ambiguous, as portrayed in the anime “Neon Genesis Evangelion,” is often considered either the best anime ever made or the most perplexing and meaningless series, with very few viewers finding it neither.

The show outranks its competitive peers primarily due to the enigmatic nature of its narrative. Its ambiguous ending and innovative storytelling encourage diverse interpretations, making it difficult for viewers to agree on its overall meaning. However, it’s clear that the series boasts exceptional quality.

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2024-11-25 07:04